Two horses shield themselves from a strong, cold wind. Photo Editor Dean Curtis, who grew up in Minnesota, is familiar with bitter cold winters.

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News-Leader

Ozarks exposure is a feature highlighting the work of the News-Leader photo staff and the region we serve. It appears every Monday.

Dean Curtis

Dean Curtis has covered winters in the Ozarks since 1992 and has covered weather down to 55 degrees below (104 below with wind chill) while working in North Dakota in the early 1980s. dcurtis@news-leader.com - 417-836-1182

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The horses had more sense than me. They huddled together behind a barn keeping warm, shielding themselves from the cold wind. Me? I stood ankle deep in snow, the strong wind quickly turning my cheeks and shutter finger numb, and I was happy.

A fresh snowfall brings out our area's seasonal beauty, much like the changing fall leaves, turning an ordinary scene into something that begs to be photographed. I was happy not to be knee deep like areas to the north and south of us.

The temperature was in the low teens, and while I don't like the cold, I have learned to endure it. Bitter cold is not new to me. I grew up in Minnesota and have worked in both the Dakotas.

When I get cold the words of an old farmer always come back to me. Years ago, trudging down the main street of a small South Dakota town in 25-below weather, wind howling, I complained about the bitter cold to a passing farmer.

He paused, studied me for a bit, then said matter-of-factly, "It could be worse." He moved on not bothered by the cold. Or at least he knew better that to waste time complaining about something he could not control. Judging from his weathered skin, I knew this farmer had endured far worse on those prairie plains.

Hopefully, this winter I will never be standing knee deep in snow photographing a scene.